To Cyril, Anthea, Robert, Jane, and their baby brother, the house in the country promises a summer of freedom and play. But when they accidentally uncover an ancient Psammead—or Sand-fairy—who has the power to make wishes come true, they find themselves having the holiday of a lifetime, sharing one thrilling adventure after another.

Asleep since dinosaurs roamed the earth, the ill-tempered, odd-looking Psammead—with his spider-shaped body, bat's ears, and snail's eyes—grudgingly agrees to grant the children one wish per day. Soon, though, the children discover that their wishes have a tendency to turn out quite differently than they had expected. Whatever they wish—whether it's to fly like a bird, live in a mighty castle, or have an immense fortune—something goes terribly, hilariously wrong.

Then an accidental wish has horrible consequences, and the children are faced with a difficult choice: to let an innocent man be charged with a crime or to lose for all time their gift of magical wishes.

Five Children and It is one of E. Nesbit's most beloved tales of enchantment. This deluxe gift edition, featuring twelve beautiful watercolor paintings by Caldecott medalist Paul O. Zelinsky, is sure to be a treasured addition to every family's library.

From the dust jacket of the 1999 William Morrow edition